Abstract: A method of rapidly balancing air flows in a complex paint spray booth having a series of cells supplied by a common air flow that is pushed by an adjustable speed supply fan and then divided into downdrafts for each of the said cells accompanied by cross-flows between said cells. The downdrafts and cross-flows converging into exhaust flows drawn by an adjustable speed exhaust fan, the system having control elements for changing the downdrafts and/or cross-flows, and further having means for passing the exhaust flow through a waste paint water scrubber having an adjustable venturi gap width.

Abstract: Typically, paint film thickness is measured at a plurality of locations on a vehicle body by a hand-held sensor which is positioned by an operator at a position normal to the respective locations being sensed. This operation may be inaccurate and time-consuming because substantial reliance is placed upon the operator. The invention provides an apparatus for positioning a plurality of sensors in contact with a plurality of locations, respectively, on a non-planar surface such that each sensor is positioned normal to the non-planar surface at the respective location on the surface. The apparatus includes a movable fixture and a plurality of pistons carried by the movable fixture. Each of the pistons is movable independently with respect to the fixture. Each piston includes a distal end, and a sensor is pivotally mounted to each distal end.